East Sussex County Council's Recycling Fund: Paving the way to a greener future

Energy team says fund has been vital in progressing the journey to net zero emissions

An expert energy team at East Sussex Council has hailed the benefits of a fund delivered by our teams at Salix.

In a brief video showcasing the Recycling Fund the team credits the scheme with not only enabling it to install vital energy efficiency measures, but for helping it build key relationships so vital in its journey to net zero. 

They say the scheme, which has now closed, has also put them in a stronger position to apply to other energy saving funds.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has been a pioneer in energy efficiency and sustainability since the inception of its Recycling Fund in 2007. Thanks to the fund over the past 18 years the council has successfully delivered 235 energy efficiency projects.

These have ranged from street lighting upgrades to renewable energy installations. This initiative has not only saved the council an estimated £880,000 annually on energy bills but also reduced carbon emissions by over 4,000 tonnes per year.

The most popular technologies funded through the Recycling Fund have been:

• Lighting and Lighting Controls: 36%
• Insulation: 26%

The council says these technologies have significantly improved working and learning environments, expedited the removal of asbestos, and reduced maintenance costs by minimising the need for frequent lightbulb replacements.

In our video we hear how the benefits of these projects extend beyond energy and carbon savings. 

Improved lighting has enhanced the quality of work and learning environments, while the removal of asbestos has mitigated health risks and future costs. 

In the video council energy efficiency manager Paul Hardman said: “One of our school business managers said he was delighted because not only was there a reduction in energy consumption, but his school now had uniform lighting throughout the building and the premises staff do not have to spend time changing light tubes.”

The council believes its proactive approach has also fostered strong relationships with reliable contractors and involved site staff in the design process, ensuring smooth project execution.

They also believe that the vital experience gained from the Recycling Fund projects has been invaluable in preparing for other schemes, such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. 

They say familiarity with our support team at Salix and tools has streamlined project management and execution, enabling the council to plan and implement new survey and installation programs effectively.

In the video, the experts claim that our teams at Salix have been a crucial partner throughout this journey, providing helpful, personable, and accommodating support tailored to the council's specific needs. 

They say that the clear annual targets and straightforward funding criteria have facilitated the successful completion of numerous projects.

As well as the significant achievements, the East Sussex team recognise that the end of the Recycling Fund, which has laid a strong foundation for energy efficiency and sustainability, poses a challenge for the organisation.

They believe that additional funding is essential for East Sussex City Council to continue its efforts in reducing energy bills and carbon emissions, ultimately aiming to achieve net zero by 2050. 

The council is confident that the projects completed under this scheme have not only delivered substantial financial and environmental benefits but also set a precedent for future initiatives. They also recognised the importance and value of such vital funding thanks to government. 

In the video East Sussex County Council energy and carbon reduction manager Janette Ackroyd said: “Given current local government financial constraint, we require additional funding to continue to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions to help us achieve our goal of making the council net zero by no later than 2050.”

Our video is part of a series of testimonials videos marking the end of the Recycling Fund whilst celebrating its success and achievements. Thank you to East Sussex County Council for taking part in this work.